Apparatus for packaging articles



Dec. 1, 1942. G. L ANDERSONA APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed Feb. 16, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Gleim L qndemofg (7M /3 Qdi@ l ATTORNEY.

Dec. l', 1942. l G. L ANDERSON 2,303,421Y

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES k Filed Feb.-l 16, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet' 2 H Il lll 53a MEI A Iv397i@ Inl nu Gif/w nderoh.

ATTORNEY.

DSC' l', 1942 G. L. ANDERSON 2,303,421

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed-Feb. 16, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. l,v 1942 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES Glenn L. Anderson, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application February 16, 1939, Serial No. 256,820

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for packaging articles, more particularly to apparatus for enclosing in a container a predetermined number of articles, the apparatus involving a mechanism which automatically operates to control each packaging operation when the predetermined number of articles have been delivered to the apparatus. The term container, as used herein, has reference to an enclosure of any desired form and constructed of any suitable material, but arranged to provide an opening to receive the articles, the disclosed construction of container consisting of a paper bag. The articles to be packaged are shown as consisting of sections of textile material, such as napkins and towels, as well as other articles which when flat or folded are of substantially uniform size and shape so as to be stacked and bodily inserted into a container.

The apparatus herein disclosed and embodying my invention is adapted for use where a large number of articles of the type above referred to are laundered, such as concerns for supplying linen, as well as laundries, clubs, hotels, hospitals, camps, etc. I

One object of the invention is to provide an irnproved apparatus of this type having -a movable receiver for the articles and means to control the operation thereof when filled with a batch of articles, whereby each batch is delivered into a container.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of this type wherein the articles are packaged in batches with minimum labor, thereby insuring a substantial saving over present practice.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this'type which is relatively simpleand easily operated to package batches of articles in a rapid manner.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, ywherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section on the line l-I of Fig. 2, of an apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View (enlarged) of Fig.'

2, parts being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the receiver or stacker.

Figs. 5 and Gare sections on the lines 5-5 and 5 6, respectively, of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on the line I--I of Fig. 2 (enlarged). v

Figs. 7a, 8, 9 and 10, are sections on the lines 'M -1a, 8 8, 9-9 and lll-I0, respectively, of Fig. '7.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line H-I l of Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line |2`-|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of one of the switches, and illustrating the manner of operating it.

Fig. 14 is a diagram.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a modification.

In the drawings, I indicates as an entirety a support preferably comprising a platform la mounted on legs lb. The platform la supports a receiver or stacker 2 for the article to be packaged in containers, one of which is shown at 3. I have applied my invention to packaging textile articles and show for illustrative purposes only towels A in folded conditions. The Ybottom of the receiver is pivoted or hinged to the platform la on a transverse axis disposed at a point beyond its center remote its discharge end, so

lthat the receiver normally tends to swing about its pivot from its normal or receiving position (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and '7), to its discharging position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The pivot for the receiver 2 is preferably arranged at the rear edge of the platform la so that the area rearward of the support I may be utilized by the operative to apply the empty container 3 to the receiver 2 and handle the filled containers in an easy and rapid manner. However, since the filled containers may be permitted to automatically disengage the receiver 2, they may drop onto a conveyor or into a chute (not shown) and be conducted to a distant point. The pivot for the receiver 2 consists of aplate 4 xed to the rear side wall of the platform I a and a plate 4a (the plates having suitable knuckles connected by a pivot 4') arranged to support the receiver 2 in normal position, substantially horizontally with its front end lying over the platform la, whereby such end may releasably engage a catch mechanism indicated as an entirety at 5. The side edges of the plate 4a. are inclined so as to converge toward the pivot 4 and are adapted to the stack according to the number to be filled y in each container. Suitable means may be provided for removably securing the bottom of the receiver to the plate 4a, the illustrated means shown consisting of an embossment 1 on the receiver bottom arranged to lie back of the plate knuckles (see Fig. 7), the resiliency of the metal permitting the embossment to ride the knuckles and plate 4a. when positioning the receiver thereon or removing it therefrom.

The receiver 2 consists of a bottom and side walls 2a, being open at its discharge end to permit the towels A to slide therethrough into a container 3, open at its top from end to end and open at its opposite end. The towels A may be positioned in or delivered to the receiver at either side or at the end opposite to the discharge end, but in the arrangement shown, I- deliver the towels from one side, as later set forth.

8 indicates spring clips mounted on the sides 2a of the receiver and arranged to removably receive between them and the side walls 2a the open end portion of a container 3, which is of a size to readily fit over the discharge end of the receiver 2 and a presser 9 (later referred to), the clips 8 permitting the container to be readily attached in position as shown in Fig. 1 and to be removed therefrom. By preference I provide on the receiver 2 a supplemental holder I0 for the container 3 shaped to form a rest for the container to hold it in extended position when attached to the receiver (see Fig. 1) and engage the bottom of the container to support it when lled and the receiver swings downwardly as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, this arrangement permitting the filled container to be readily disengaged from the receiver 2, andthen closed and sealed in any desired manner.

The towels A are placed in the receiver, one at aV time, whereby they may be counted, each such operation serving through a control mechanism indicated as an entirety at II, to operate an index mechanism indicated as an entirety at I2, so that when a predetermined vnumber of towels, according to the pre-setting of the mechanism I2, has been positioned in the receiver 2, the index mechanism I2 operates the catch mechanism 5 to release the receiver 2, the weight of the discharge end of the receiver 2, supplemented by the weight of that portion of the towels adjacent such end, serving to effect operation of the receiver to dumping position as shown in dotted lines.

The presser 9 is mounted at the discharge end of the receiver 2 and consists of a plate extending across and normally resting on the tops of the side walls 2a and having depending end members 9a slidably engaging the outer surfaces of the side walls 2a. The side walls 2a are preferably embossed to form vertical guides and the end members are correspondingly shaped to loosely fit these embossments to guide the presser 9 upwardly and downwardly. .The inner edge of the presser 9 is provided with an upwardly inclined ange 9b which serves to guide the adjacent end of the stacked towels below the presser 9y the weight of the latter serving to compress the towels together as they slide from the receiver 2 into the container 3 and thus maintain them in stacked relation during suchA movement. The side walls 2a are formed with openings 2b and a section of the wall forming each end member 9a is stamped out and bent laterally inwardly at 9b' so as to project into the adjacent opening 2b, the upper end wall of the latter serving to limit the movement of the presser upwardly.

The control mechanism I I, in the form of construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 14, comprises an electric switch Ila for closing an electric circuit II (see Fig. 14) and a device I3 for operating the switch Ila, which device has a portion I3a, disposed in the path of movement of each towel A and is engaged and moved thereby to operate the switch when each towel is positioned in the receiver 2, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,where by the circuit Il is closed each time a towel is positioned in the receiver 2. It will be noted that the apparatus herein disclosed may be incorporated in or associated with the discharge means of a power driven folding machine, whereby the towels or other articles will be supplied to the receiver automatically, but in the present declosure and as built by me, it is intended to manuallyI deliver the towels thereto. In this arrangement the switch IIa is mounted on a bracket I4 carried by the support I, above and in spaced relation to one side wall 2a of the receiver 2, so as to form a delivery opening between the switch and the top of the adjacent side wall 2a and provide for the mounting of the operating device I3 in operative relation to the switch Ila, with its towel engaging portion extending across the delivery opening. The switch Ila. comprises an insulating block I5 suitably iixecl to the bracket I 4 and supporting terminals I6, IG, electrically connected to leads I1, I'Ia, respectively. As shown in Fig. 14, the lead I'Ia is connected to a lead I 1:1: and the latter lead and the lead IIl are connected to the supply mains IIzr. Each terminal I6, I6a, is electrically connected to conductor strips I8, I8a, respectively, formed of resilient metal, the end portions of which are related so as to make and break the circuit II'. The strip I8, whichv engages intermediate its ends an abutment I9 xedly mounted in the block I5, is shaped so that its free end is normally out of contact with the strip I8a (see Fig. 3). The strips I8, I8a, and outer ends of the terminals are enclosed by a cover 20 (suitably secured in position) which is formed with an opening to slidably support a plunger 2l, the plunger being positioned to engage the conductor strip I8 between the terminal I6 and abutment I9, and when the plunger 2I is pushed inwardly by operation of the device I3, it flexes the strip I8 between the terminal I6 and abutment I9 and causes its outer end portion to swing laterally into engagement with the strip I8a, thereby closing the circuit Il. Upon release of pressure on the plunger 2I, the strip I8 springs back to normal position, breaking the circuit II' and pushing the plunger outwardly, such outward movement being limited by the head on .the inner end of the plunger engaging the cover 28. The operating device I3 consists of a lever, substantially of bell-crank shape, one arm I3a of which (already referred to) extends across the opening for the towels and the other arm I3b of which is arranged to engage with the outer end of the plunger 2| and project it inwardly to operate the strip I8 and close the switch Ila, as above set forth. 'Ihe lever I3 is formed of resilient material so that in the event the lever is moved an undue distance by the operation of positioning a towel in the receiver 2, the arm I3b will yield after it engages the cover 20. The lever I3 is pivoted on the bracket I4 below the switch IIa and its arms are so related that the arm I3a serves as a weight to swing or return the lever to normal orfop'erative position after each towel A has been delivered to the receiver 2, the return movement of the lever being limited at a predetermined position by a tail member |3c extending rearwardly from the lever and arranged to engage a stop 22 provided on the bracket '|4. i

The index mechanism I2 comprises a ratchet mechanism, preferably consisting of a ratchet 23 of circular or disk form having a predetermined number of teeth (which may be provided on its periphery) and a pawl 24 arranged to rotate the ratchet the distance of one tooth for each operation of the pawl, the pawl being operated by the closing of the circuit H', as later set forth,

when rotated a predetermined distance to close' an operating circuit 25', which eiects operation of the catch mechanism 5, as later set forth, to release the receiver 2. Accordingly when a predetermined number of towels A have been positioned in the receiver 2, it is released and the towels therein slide into the container 3, as a1- ready described. The electric connections between the ratchet disk 23 and a lead 25a, which is connected to the lead I1, are so arranged that the circuit 25' may be closed after the disk has been rotated different angular distances, so that by means of a pre-setting switch 26 in the circuit 25' the receiver 2 will be released each time the number of towels, as determined by the switch 26, has been positioned therein. In the arrangement illustrated, the ratchetdisk 2'3 is provided with 100 teeth and opposite one tooth, which may be considered the 100th tooth, I provide a contact 21; and equally spaced around the disk 23I I provide four stationary contacts 28, 29, 30 and 3| each arranged to be engaged by the contact 21 as the disk rotates. The pre-setting switch 26 is provided with an arm 32 connected to the lead 25a and arranged in one position (represented by the number 25) to engage a terminal 33 to connect it to the lead 25a and in another position (represented by the number 50) to disconnect the terminal from the lead 25a. lAs shown, a lead 34 connects the contacts 29 and 3| to the lead 25a and leads 35, 35a, f

connect the contacts 28, 30, to the terminal 33. With the switch arm 32 in engagement with terminal 33', it will be seen from the foregoing description that each time the disk 23 is moved the angular distance of 25 teeth by the successive operations of the pawl 24, the contact 21 will engage one of the contacts 28, 29, 30 and 3|, and close the circuit 25 and elect a release of the receiver 2 (as later set forth) and this operation will be repeated each time rthe contact 21 engages any one of said contacts, whereas if the switch arm 32- is disengaged from the terminal 33, the contact 21 will close the-circuit 25ronly when it engages either contacts 29 and 3|.. 'It will thus be seen that the indexing mechanism 2 may be set to cause a discharge of the receiver each time 25 towels are positioned therein or each time 5D towels are positioned therein; but by providing a larger or lesser number of contacts around the disk 23, the receiver can be controlled when filled with any desired number of towels. k

The ratchet disk 23 is rotatably mounted on an internally threaded hollow bushing 23a which is formed 0f conducting materiau and nts an opening in a block 23h formed of insulating material, the block being suitably iixed to the base plate of a casingr23c. The opening for the bushing 23a is enlarged at its inner end so that the head of a bolt 23d, which is threaded into and through the bushing 23a, may be countersunk within the block and co-act with a flange on the bushing which engages with the inner face of the block 23h, to secure the bushing in position thereon. The inner end of the bushing 23a is externally threaded to take a nut 23e which holds in place on the bushing a washer 23,1 to 'support the disk 23 between it and the bushing flange. A cross member 23g extends over the disk 23 and issupported at its opposite en ds on the block 23h. The cross member 23g engages the inner end of the bolt 23d and is connected at one end to the wire or lead 23', as shown in Fig. l1, whereby the disk 23 is electrically connected through the bushing 23a, bolt 23d and cross member 23g to the lead 23. The contact 21 is shown in Fig. 12 as consisting of a hollow member 23h containing a ball and a spring which tends to project the ball outwardly and ride the inner face of the block 23h as the disk 23 rotates, the contacts 28, 29, 30 and 3|` being countersunk in the block 23D in position to be engaged by the ball of the contact 21.

The pawl 24 consists of a main element 24a suitably pivoted on the block 23h and a separate element 24h pivoted on the main element 24a and normally maintained in engagement with the teeth'of the disk 23 by a spring 24C connected to the elements 24a, 2417, this construction serving to insure accurate engagement with the successive ratchet teeth to move the disk the distance of one tooth with each operation of the main element 24a. The outer end of the pawl e1e= ment 24a is connected to the outer end of a Vthrust member 36, the inner end portion of lwhich forms the core of a solenoid 31. As will be understood from Fig. 14, 4the coil of the solenoid 31 is connected in series in the circuit I (being interposed in the lead |1a), so that each time the switch lla is operated to close the circuit Il', the coil of the solenoid is energized and moves the thrust member toward the left, as shown in Figs; 11 and 14, to operate the pawl 24. A spring 38 coiled around the thrust member 36 and interposed between a collar 38a thereon and the' inner end walls of the casing for the solenoid coil, serves to move the thrust member 36 in the opposite direction, upon de-energizing of the solenoid coil, and to position the pawl 24 behind the succeeding ratchet tooth ready for the next operation.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, each time the operating circuit 25 is closed, the catch mechanism 5 is operated to release the receiver 2, such operation of the catch mechanism being effected by a solenoid 39, the coil of which is connected in series in the circuit 25 (that is, in lead 25a). The bottom wall of the receiver at its inner end is provided with a section 40 depending through an opening Ib' formed in the platform la and carrying at its lowerv end an outwardly extending shoulder 4| with which the lock and release element 5a of the catch mechanism 5 engages to releasably lock the receiver 2 in normal position for iilling. The catch mechanism 5 comprises a shaft 42 mounted at its opposite ends on the spaced'arms 43 of a bracket 43a, the lock and release element 5a (already referredto) being rotatably mounted on the shaft 42 and an element 5b pivoted at oneend of the shaft 42V for controlling the-opera-A tion of the element a; to lock or;release the shoulder 4I. The lock and release,- element 5a is enlarged at one side to form a wall 5a extending substantially radially and arranged to engage the shoulder 4I to lock the receiver 2 in normal position (see Fig. '7) and provided at another side with a lug 5a", normally engaging a stop 5b on the controlling element 5b. The controlling element 5b is shaped at its inner end to provide spaced hollow bosses 5x through which the shaft 42 extends and disposed on opposite sides of the element 5a, the bosses being connected by a bar which forms the stop 5b. The outer end portion of the element 5b is bifurcated to straddle a rod 44 below a head 44a on its outer end. The opposite end portion of the rod 44 forms the core of the solenoid 39, so that when the coil thereof is energized by the closing of the operating circuit 25', the rod 44 is 4moved endwise downwardly and carries with it the element 5b thereby swinging the latter about the shaft 42; and when the element 5b is operated as just described, the stop 5b swings with it to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. '1, to disengage the lug 5a", so that the element 5a is then free to rotate about the shaft 42, to release the receiver 2. Accordingly, upon disengagement of the element 5b from the element 5a, the weight of the discharge end of the receiver 2 is effective to swing it to the discharge position, the shoulder 4I in such swinging movement-serving to rotate the element 5a (counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. '7) and ride past the wall 5a' `in opposition to a relatively light spring 5r', which is connected to the element 5a and shaft 42 (see Fig. 7a) and normally tends to rotate the element clockwise. Upon de-energizing of the solenoid 39, a spring 45 coiled around the rod 44 and interposed between the bifurcations of the element 5b and the casing for the solenoid coil', projects the rod 44 upwardly and swings the elementA 5b back to normal position.

Following the return of the element 5b to normal position, the receiver 2 may be positioned for refilling and in the movement thereof to normal position, the shoulder 4I will ride the wall 5a', since the element 5a is free to rotate clockwise, and become locked below this wall.

It will be noticed that when the movable contact 21 engages any one of the stationary contacts 28, 29, 30, 3l, (a) the receiver 2 is automatically released and swings to its discharging position, (b) that the movable contact 21 remains engaged with the adjacent stationary consecured and locked by the lock and release element5a.

To permit the receiver to be returned to and locked in normal position and locked by the catch mechanism 5 while the movable contact 21 remains `in engagement with any one of the stationary contacts 28, 29, 30 and 3| and also provide for. the operation of the catch mechanism 5 when themovable contact-engagesy the succeeding stationaryv contacts, I provide an auxiliary means, having a switch, whichis'arranged v (a) tahreakf the, circuit 25' after theA receiver 2 has been; released; by, the catchzmechanism (so that thecoil'ofr the solenoid 39-is de-energized) and (b) to be movedback to circuit closing position by; the closing of the circuit II to rotate the ratchetv disk 23 one tooth, due to the -positioning of a towel in the receiver 2 (the rst towel in the next refilling operation) and operat-ionof; they switch I, Ia.-

The auxiliary means comprise the following: 46 indicatesa solenoid mounted in a casing 46a suitablyxed to an upright 41, which is disposed at one; side of the receiver 2 and forms part of the support I. I preferably provide at the opposite side ofA thereceiver an upright 41a, which forms a part of the support I, and on the side Walls2av of the receiver I provide laterally projecting wings 2c which engage the uprights 41, 41a to limit the tilting ofthe receiver 2 at a predetermined position. The coil of the solenoid 4B is connected in series in the circuit II (being interposed'y in the lead I1, as shown in Fig. 14) and the core 46' thereof has connected to its front end a. plunger 48 normally projecting beyond the casing 46a (see Fig. 13). At its rear end the solenoid core is provided with an extension 49 formed of Bakelite or other suitable insulating material and the outer end of the extension 49 is provided with a sleeve 50 formed of copper or other conducting material, which sleeve. 50 engages a pair of resilient contacts 5I, 5I., connected to the lead 25a, as shown in Fig. 13. The contacts are mounted in a cap 46a! preferably screwy threaded on the rear end of the casing 46a. .As shown in Figs. l and 13,y

the plunger 48 projects beyond the upright 41v and is disposed in the path yof movement of the adjacent wingI 2c, so that when the receiver 2 is released from the catch mechanism 5 and tilts to its discharging position, the adjacent wing 2c engages with and moves the plunger 48, core of the solenoid 46, section 49 and sleeve 59 endwise, which operation moves the insulating section 49 intov engagement with the contacts 5I, 5I thereby breaking the circuit 25 across these contacts. Upon opening of the circuit 25', the coil of the solenoid 39- is de-energized and the spring 45 moves the rod 44` upwardly and swings the element 5b to normal position so that the receiver 2 may be re-positioned and locked ready to be re-lled with towels A. With the receiver 2 in normal position the plunger 48 and parts connected thereto may be moved back to their first position and connect the contacts 5I 5 I, through the sleeve 59. As the coil of the solenoid 46 is connected in series in the lead I1, the operation of positioning the first towel in the receiver 2 will operater the switch I Ia to close the circuit II',`the effect of which is to energize the coil of the solenoid 4,6, the magnetic influence thus established serving to move the core of the solenoid and parts connected to it in that direction opposite to theV direction in which it was moved by the plunger 48 when engaged by the adjacent wing 2c.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that the core of the solenoid 46 and parts carried thereby and contacts 5I, 5I, constitute a switch in the circuit 25 which switch in one position permits the circuit to be closed by the movable contact 21 to operate the catch mechanism 5 and in another position breaks the circuit so that the catch mechanism may be re-set, notwithstanding the engagementof the contact 21 with an adjacent stationary contact.

52 indicates a dog mounted on the block 23h and arranged to ride the ratchet teeth on the disk 23 and prevent rotation thereof in the direction opposite to that eected by the pawl 24, the dog being yieldingly held in operative position by a spring 52a.

The switch arm 32 of the pre-setting switch 26 is connected to a shaft 53 which is provided with an operating handle 53a.

As shown in the diagram (Fig. 14), the leads Ila and 23 are connected to the lead Ila: which is connected to one supply main II and the lead 25a is connected to the lead Il which is connected to the other supply main llas. In this arrangement, all of the circuits may be disconnected from the current supply by a single switch 54 having an operating handle 54a.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of ,the diagram shown in Fig. 14, but illustrating a modication of the control mechanism for operating the indexing Amechanism l2, wherein in place of the switch Il I provide a photo-electric cell indicated as an entirety at 55 and receiving electric energy by means of leads connected to the mains I'Ix. In this arrangement the leads I1, Ila for the circuit Il' are connected to contacts or terminals |69: arranged to be connected to close the circuit by the armature of an electro-magnet 55'. As shown, one side wall 2a of the receiver has a lateral extension 2a: provided with a lens 56 spaced from a second lens 56a to form between them a passage for the towels leading to the receiver. An electric light or bulb 51 (which is connected to the mains I'Ix') provides light rays through the lens 56, 56a, onto the bulb 55a of the cell 55, the rays being broken or intercepted by the movement of each towel through the towel passage, whereby the cell operates the electro-magnet 55 to close the circuit Il across the contacts 16:12; the effect of which, as set forth in connection with Figs. 1 to 14, is to operate the indexing mechanism I2.

'I'he towels A may be delivered to the receiver one or more at a time, each delivery operation serving to close the switch Ila and operate the disk 23 of the indexing mechanism I2 one tooth.

.With the contacts 28, 29, 30 and 3| spaced as shown and with teeth on the disk 23, and ii it was desired to enclose 50 towels n each container, by engaging the arm of the pre-setting switch 26 with the terminal 33 and positioning two towels at a time into the receiver, the latter would be discharged each time the movable contact 21 engaged each of the stationary contacts.

Various means may be used to count the towels, for example, by registering the number of discharging operations of the receiver, by recording the revolutions of the disk 23 and by an electric counter connected in series in the circuit Il or circuit 25', and operated each time such circuit is closed. The -counting means for the towels are not shown.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combinationl with a support, of a recieiver 1n which textile articles to be packaged are succesformed at one end with a discharge opening through which the stack of articles is bodily discharged, said receiver being pivotally mounted adjacent its opposite end on said support, whereby it normally tends to swing to its discharging position, means for locking said receiver in a predetermined position to receive the articles to be packaged, and means controlled by the delivery of each article into said receiver for releasing said looking means when a predetermined number of articles has been stacked in said receiver.

2.'In apparatus ofV the class described, the combination with a support, of a receiver in which' textile articles to be packaged are successively positioned into stacked relation and formed at one end with a discharge opening through which the stack of articles is bodily discharged, means carried by one or more walls of said receiver for removably supporting a con` tainer in operative relation to said opening, means for holding said receiver in a predetermined position to receive the articles to be packaged, means operated by the delivery of each article intosaid receiver and arranged to release said holding means when a predetermined number of articles has been stacked in said receiver, and means operated by the movement of said receiver to discharging position for making said holding means inoperative.

y3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein th'e last mentioned means are re-set by the succeeding operation of said delivery operated means.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a receiver open at its top to permit the successive positioning therein of textile articles into stacked relation and having at one end an opening through which the stack of articles is bodily discharged, means carried by one or more walls of said receiver for removably supporting a container in receiving relation to said discharge opening, said receiver being movably mounted on said support and arranged when in one position to receive the articles and movable to another position to effect discharge thereof in stacked relation by gravity into the container, releasable means for holding said receiver in position for receiving th'e articles, an indexing mechanism, means controlled by said mechanism for operating said releasable means when a predetermined number of articles has been stacked in the receiver, and means operated by the delivery of each article into said receiver for operating said indexing mechanism.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a receiver trunnioned thereon adjacent one end and formed at its opposite end with a discharge opening, said i receiver being arranged when in one position to sively positioned into stacked relationv and permit textile articles to be stacked therein and swingable to another position to effect discharge of the stacked articles through said opening, means for removably supporting a container on said receiver in operative relation to said opening, releasable means for holding said receiver in its receiving position, electrical means for operating said releasable means, a step-by-step movable device arranged when moved a predetermined distance to operate said electrical means, and separate electrical means controlled by the delivery of each article to said receiver to move said device one step.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rst mentioned electrical means includes an electrically operated device for operating said releasable means, a circuit and a plurality of stationary contacts, said device being provided with a contact arranged to engage each of said stationary contacts and a pre-setting switch arranged to connect into the circuit either one of said stationary contacts.

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a receiver trunnioned thereon adjacent one end and formed at its opposite end with a discharge opening, said receiver being arranged when in one position to permit textile articles to be stacked therein and swingable to another position to eiect discharge of the stacked articles through said opening, releasable means for holding said receiver in receiving position, a step-by-step movable index member provided with an operating element,

and means controlled by said element for operating said releasable means, the last said means including spaced elements arranged to be successively engaged by the element on said index member, and means for at will making certain of the last mentioned elements inoperative.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a receiver trunnioned thereon and formed Vat one end with a discharge opening, said receiver being arranged when in one position to receive articles to be packaged and swingable to another position to effect discharge of the articles through said opening, releasable means for holding said rreceiver in receiving position, an electrically controlled device and a circuit therefor arranged to release and re-set said releasable means, an indexing mechanism for controlling the circuit for said device, a separate electrically controlled device for operating said indexing mechanism and -a circuit for said separate device having a switch arranged to close said circuit bythe positioning of each article into said receiver, a switch in the circuit for said rst mentioned device and arranged to be moved in one direction by said receiver when the latter swings to its discharging position to break said circuit, and Vmeans 'operated by the closing i the circuit for said separate device for restoring ysaid last vmentioned switch to its rst position.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination with a support, of -a receiver trunnioned thereon and formed at one end with' la discharge opening, said receiver being arranged when in one position to receive articles to be packaged and swingable to another position to effect discharge of the articles through said opening, a catch mechanism for holding said receiver in receiving position, an electrically Vcontrolled device and a circuit therefor arranged to release and re-set said catch mechanism, an indexing mechanism for controlling said circuit, a separate electrically controlled device for :operating said indexing mechanism and a circuit for said separate device having a switch for closing said circuit by the positioning of an article in said receiver, and separate means for controlling the circuit for said rst mentioned device, said separate means including a switch' normally forming a part of said circuit land arranged to be moved to' an inoperative position by saidv receiver when operated to discharging position, whereby the first mentioned device re-sets said catch mechanism, and arranged to be Amoved to its normal position'by-the closing of the circuit A for said separate device.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the 'combination with a support, of a receiver trunnioned thereon adjacent one end and formed A'at its opposite end with a discharge'opening, 'said receiver being arranged when in one position to permit textile articles to be stacked therein and swingable to another position `to effect discharge of the stacked articles through said opening, a catch mechanism for releasably holding said receiver in receiving position, an'electri'cally controlled device for operating said catch mechanism, a ratchet disk and a pawl .for operating said disk step-by-step, a circuit for said device, including a contact carriedby said disk and =a plurality of contacts lon said support in spaced relation about the path of 'movement of the "oontact on said disk and each arrangedto be engaged by the contact on saiddisk to complete the 'circuit to said device whereby lthe latter releases said catch mechanism, andmeans controlle'dvfby the delivery of each' article into said receiver for operating said pawl.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein means are provided for disconnecting certain of the contacts on said support vfrom'lthe circuit for said device.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with afsu'pport, of -a vreceiver trunnioned thereon adjacent one end and formed at its opposite end witha discharge opening, said receiver being arranged when in one position 'to permit textile articles to be stacked therein and swingable to another position toeife'ct discharge of the stacked articles -through -said'opening, fa catch mechanism vfor releasably holding saidreceiverin receiving position, an electrically controlled device for operating said catch mechanism, a ratchet disk and a pawl for 1xoperating said disk step-by-step, afcircuit for said device, including la contact carried by said disk and -a plurality of contacts on said support -inspaced relation about the path of movementof'the contact on-said diskvand each arranged 'to be lengaged by the contact on vsaid-disk to completethe circuit to said device, whereby the latter 4releases said catch mechanism,'means controlled by the delivery `of each article into said receiver -for operating saidipawl, and kmeansfor breaking the circuit closed by saidcontacts bythe movement of said 'receiver to its discharge position, -`whereby the catch mechanism isre-set.

t v13. In 'apparatus of the class described, Stile combination with a support, of a receiver trunnioned thereon Vadjacent 'one end and formed at its opposite end with va discharge opening, said receiver being arranged when in one 'position to permit Vtextile articles to be stacked therein and swingable vto another position to effect discharge of the vstacked articles through *said opening, a catch mechanism for releasably h'o'lding said receiver in receiving position, an "electrically controlled device for operating said'catch mechanism, a ratchetdisk Vand apawl for operating said disk step-bystep,fa circuit -for-said device, including 'a contact carried by said Adisk anda lpluralityof contacts h'on said support in spaced relation'about the -path offmovem'ent of thecontact on said -dis'k and each-arranged 4Vto be engaged by the contact on said-disk t'o--c'oinplete the circuit to said device, whereby vthe latter releases said catch mechanism, means -con trolled by the delivery of each article into -said receiver `for Voperating fsaid pawl, means yrcontrolled 'by the vmovement of -`sai`d receiver to `'its ldischarge position. for breaking -the 'circuit closed by said contacts, and separate means, actuated by said pawl operating means, for restoring said circuit breaking means to non-circuit breaking position.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination With a support, of a. receiver to which textile articles are successively delivered into stacked relation and formed at one end with an opening through which the stack of articles is discharged, said receiver being trunnioned adjacent its opposite one end on said support, means on one or more Walls of said receiver adapted to removably hold a container in 

